If you’re trying to get a good night’s rest, you may want to watch what you eat.
That’s especially true when it comes to your last meal of the day. Lots of grownups say they have trouble getting to sleep at night. Sleep’s important because a good night of rest helps your body rejuvenate and stay healthy. The National Sleep Foundation suggests adults get anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. But what if you can’t seem to fall asleep when you want to?
It turns out, there are certain foods you should and shouldn’t eat late at night.
As for some of the best things to eat before bedtime, try bananas and cherries, nuts, or fish. You can also eat hummus, avocados and even, surprisingly, dark chocolate. If you love a nice glass of red wine late at night, that’s not a bad choice, either. The skin of the grapes used for red wine contains melatonin, which helps you fall asleep. Asian foods like miso soup and edamame are also good choices because the magnesium in them helps your muscles relax, making it a bit easier to fall asleep. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it on any of these things, but in moderation, all can be good choices.
Unfortunately, there are also some things that aren’t the best choices late at night. If you love hot sauce, you may want to use it a bit earlier in the day. Sure, it’s fun to try out new flavors on the pepper scale, but consuming hot sauce can raise your body’s temperature. That’s why it’s not such a great choice if you’re trying to get some rest. You may find it a bit shocking, but apples aren’t always a great choice before bedtime, either. That’s because they’re packed with natural sugar. Sure, apples are good for you, but even natural sugar can keep you awake at night.